A guide to the 17 most seen winter feeder birds
Winter is one of the best times to set up a bird feeder and see who shows up. When the weather turns cold and food is harder to find, birds rely on feeders for an easy meal. It might feel like everything slows down in the winter, but your backyard can be buzzing with activity if you keep it stocked with seeds, suet, and other treats.
Some birds, like chickadees and cardinals, stick around all winter and are regulars at feeders. Others, like redpolls and siskins, might only show up when food is tough to find. Either way, it’s fun to get outside—or at least watch from your window—and see what kinds of birds visit your yard.
This list covers 17 birds most likely to appear at feeders during the winter months. They’ll bring a bit of color and excitement to those gray days and make refilling the feeder totally worth it. So put up a feeder, put out some food, and see who stops by!
Northern Cardinal
Cardinals stay put all winter, bringing a splash of red to snowy landscapes. They prefer sunflower seeds but also eat safflower and cracked corn. Males are bright red, while females are brownish with red tinges. They don’t migrate, so a well-stocked feeder helps them through the cold months. They also tend to feed early in the morning and late in the evening.
Dark-eyed Junco
Juncos are ground feeders that show up in winter from northern regions. They eat millet, cracked corn, and sunflower chips. They often hop around under feeders, picking up fallen seeds. They have a habit of puffing up their feathers to stay warm, making them look rounder than they are.
American Tree Sparrow
American tree sparrows are winter visitors in many areas, migrating from their breeding grounds in the far north. They prefer to feed on the ground, scratching through the snow for seeds. At feeders, they eat millet, sunflower chips, and cracked corn. They often form loose flocks with juncos, moving between shrubs and open spaces. Unlike some sparrows, they have a small dark spot on their chest, making them easy to identify. In winter, they fluff up their feathers to stay warm, creating a rounder appearance.
White Breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted nuthatches are known for climbing down tree trunks headfirst. In winter, they join mixed flocks with chickadees and titmice, moving together to find food. They love suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. They often grab a seed and fly off to wedge it into tree bark for later.
Black-capped Chickadee
Chickadees are one of the most common winter feeder birds. They are small but tough, surviving harsh conditions by storing food and fluffing their feathers for warmth. They love sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts. These birds also stash food in different spots to eat later. Their ability to remember where they hid their food helps them make it through the winter.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Despite their name, their red cap stands out more than their belly. These woodpeckers visit feeders for suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. They also store food in tree bark to eat later. They have a rolling, chuckling call that makes them easy to recognize.
American Goldfinch
Goldfinches stick around in winter but look very different from their bright yellow summer selves. Their feathers turn a dull brownish-yellow to help them blend in. They prefer nyjer (thistle) seed and sunflower chips. They often visit feeders in flocks, chattering nonstop as they eat.
Mourning Dove
Mourning doves stick around all winter in many places, often feeding in pairs or small flocks. They prefer to eat on the ground and go for seeds that fall from feeders. They love sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and millet. In cold weather, they puff up to trap heat and roost together for warmth. Unlike other birds, they swallow seeds whole and store them in their crop to digest later.
Downy Woodpecker
These small woodpeckers stick around all winter and love suet. They also eat sunflower seeds and peanuts. Unlike other birds, they can cling to feeders in all positions, even upside down. Their small size helps them find shelter in tree cavities and nest boxes.
Hairy Woodpecker
Hairy woodpeckers look similar to downy woodpeckers but are larger. They also love suet and sunflower seeds. They drum on trees in the winter, searching for insects hidden in the bark. They are less common at feeders than downies but still show up for an easy meal.
Blue Jay
Blue jays are loud, bold, and not afraid to dominate a feeder. They love peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet. In winter, they store extra food in trees or the ground for later. They are intelligent and will often mimic hawk calls to scare off other birds.
House Finch
House finches are year-round residents in many areas. Males have a reddish tint, while females are brown and streaked. They eat sunflower seeds and can empty a feeder quickly. They are very social and usually show up in groups. In winter, they stay fluffed up to conserve body heat.
Tufted Titmouse
Titmice are active little birds that stick around in winter. They love sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts. Like chickadees, they grab seeds and fly off to eat or stash them. They often mix with chickadees and nuthatches in feeding flocks.
European Starling
Starlings are bold, noisy birds that travel in flocks, even in winter. Their feathers turn speckled with white spots in colder months. They love suet but will also eat peanuts and sunflower seeds. They are strong, aggressive birds that can overwhelm feeders. In winter, they roost in huge groups, sometimes with thousands of birds packed together for warmth.
Purple Finch
Purple finches are winter visitors in many areas, especially when food is scarce farther north. Males have a reddish-pink wash, while females are brown with streaks. They prefer sunflower seeds and will sit at feeders for long periods, cracking them open with their strong beaks. In winter, they often join mixed flocks with goldfinches and siskins. They can be aggressive at feeders, sometimes chasing off smaller birds.
Song Sparrow
Song sparrows are mostly ground feeders, scratching through leaf litter or picking up seeds under feeders. In winter, they rely on thick brush for shelter and often move in small flocks. They eat sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. Unlike some other sparrows that migrate south, many stay in northern areas if they have enough food.
House Sparrow
House sparrows are common year-round, but they gather in large flocks in winter to roost together for warmth. They eat almost anything but prefer cracked corn, millet, and sunflower seeds. They often dominate feeders, pushing out smaller birds. In the cities and suburbs, they rely heavily on human food sources to survive the colder months.
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Woodpeckers are some of the most interesting birds in the Northeast. They hammer away at trees, search for insects, and even visit backyard feeders. While some stick around all year, others migrate. Many prefer dense forests, but a few may visit parks, orchards, and even suburban yards. See the Article: Woodpeckers.
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